Government announces reforms to end live-in requirement, reduce family separation and provide more options to caregivers

CITIZENSHIP and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander on Friday announced significant reforms to the Caregiver Program that acknowledges the valuable contributions caregivers make to Canadian families and the economy.

Changes to the program include ending the live-in requirement, and providing eligible caregivers with two pathways that will lead to permanent residence within six months.

One pathway features criteria for child care providers that are very similar to current requirements, but without the need for the caregiver to live in the home of their employer where they may be vulnerable to abuse.

In addition, caregivers in a variety of health care occupations, including registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides, orderlies, patient service associates and home support workers, will also have a pathway to permanent residence.

Eligible caregivers in this stream would be able to gain their work experience either in providing in-home care or care in a health-care facility to an elderly person or a person with a disability or chronic medical condition.

This pathway offers more career options for eligible caregivers, and targets workers in occupations that are expected to face labour shortages in the future. Applications in this stream would also be processed within six months.

The government said it is taking aggressive action to reduce the backlog of applications for permanent residence through the Live-in Caregiver Program. As part of the 2015 Levels Plan tabled in the House of Commons, Canada will welcome 30,000 new permanent residents in this category. Reducing the backlog and processing times will mean that eligible caregivers will be reunited sooner with their families.

Caregivers who have already applied for Live-in Caregiver Program work permits, and any who apply based on an employer’s approved Labour Market Impact Assessment submitted before November 30, will also be able to complete the work requirement on a live-in basis and eventually apply for permanent residence.

“We have listened to the concerns of caregivers across Canada and have taken action to improve Canada’s Caregiver Program. Our government’s changes protect caregivers from abuse and reduce family separation. With our improvements caregivers will be provided with more pathways towards permanent residence and will have the tools they need to achieve success in the Canadian labour market,” said Alexander.

Block title

https://twitter.com/i/status/1087327713277460481
New York (IANS): Kamala Harris, a senator of Indian descent, announced on Monday that she is running for President in the 2020 elections branding herself...